Canada Militia Volunteer Rifle Crossbelt Plate

Silver, 64.5 mm x 78 mm, intact brass lugs, very crisp, near mint. Footnote: From the 1850's through the 1870's, "Canada Militia" insignia existed as a generic emblem for various volunteer rifle battalions. It usually included the beaver in the centre, surrounded by the words "Canada Militia" surmounted by a QVC, and often incorporating a wreath of maple leaves as well.

A Second War & Korea Group to the Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment - 1939-1945 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp; War Medal 1939-1945; and Efficiency Medal with Canada scroll, George VI (PTE. H.W. KEILLOR CH of O (MG)). Naming is officially impressed on the EM, the others are un-named. Un-mounted, cleaned, light contact, better than very fine. Accompanied by copies of Attestation Paper, Service Records, Statement of Service, Medal Awards Cards, Discharge Certificate and a Letter from the Department of National Defence in Ottawa (confirming he had been approved for the Efficiency Medal and that his was being forward to his next-of-kin for safekeeping, dated March 11, 1946).Footnote: Hugh Wesley Keillor was born on February 14, 1920 in Aylmer, Ontario, the son of Aura Keillor (mother). He had two brothers and two sisters and enjoyed football, swimming, track, hunting, collecting rifles and firearms, watching educational and war movies and was a regular reader of history books and southern stories, along with being a Boy Scout, Patrol Leader and Rover Scout. He achieved Grade Eight but left school at the age of 15, in order to work so he could support the family. He had taken a one term Vocational (night) course in Motor Mechanics and was employed at $12/week as a Grocery Clerk, in addition to serving with the 25th Battalion, Elgin Regiment in St. Thomas, Ontario, from February 4, 1937 to September 2, 1939. He enlisted with the Canadian Army in August 1940, at the age of 20, when the staff for No. 12 Basic Training Centre in Chatham was being formed. He took six weeks basis training and went to Chatham as an Instructor. In his Personnel Selection Report, dated October 20, 1942 at Chatham, the interviewer noted that Keillor had "been an excellent all around instructor here. He is well liked by all and is definitely capable of accepting the responsibilities of a senior N.C.O. rank. He has been recommended by his Company Commander for a commission but, because his educational standard, and "M" test score are both below the required minimums this recommendation could not be concurred in by the Army Examiner." He went on to state that "Sgt. Keillor is an excellent instructor, very reliable and possesses leadership qualities and, if the standard of officer selection is ever lowered, he should be given first consideration." Keillor was residing in Aylmer when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (A56907) on May 1, 1941 in Chatham, Ontario, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Mrs. Aura Keillor of Aylmer (later changed to his wife, Mrs. H.W. (Viola) Keillor of Windsor, Ontario on September 2, 1943), stating that he had served for four years with the "2nd Elgins", from 1937 to 1940, that he was Single (later changed to Married) and that his trade was that of Grocery Clerk. He was employed as an Advance Training Instructor at No. 12 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre at Chatham, from May 1, 1941 to September 18, 1943, with various postings in Ontario, including two months advanced infantry training at A29 Army Training Centre at Listowel, acting as an Instructor at the Canadian Infantry Training Centre at Camp Ipperwash and at No. 6 Basic Training Centre in Stratford, also as an Instructor. He was granted permission to marry on October 25, 1941 and married Viola Keillor on November 22nd in Windsor. His new wife continued to live with her mother in Windsor. Keillor had volunteered for Paratrooper Training on June 22, 1943 but was rejected by M.O. He was confirmed in the rank of Sergeant at Chatham on August 12, 1943 and one month later, was posted to No. 1 Transit Camp at Windsor, Nova Scotia on September 7, 1943, to prepare for overseas service. He embarked Canada on September 14, 1943, arriving in the United Kingdom on the 19th and was posted to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit the next day. He was posted to the 5th Battalion, No. 2 Canadian Base Reinforcement Depot on October 13th and employed as an Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant (A/CQMS). Keillor embarked from the United Kingdom for service in the Italian theatre on October 26, 1943, arriving in Italy onNovember 10th, where he was an A/CQMS. In Italy, he was transferred to the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment on August 3, 1944 and reverted to the rank of Private at his own request three days later. He was appointed Lance Corporal on October 20th and again reverted to Private on December 25th. Upon the ceasing of hostilities, Keillor embarked from Italy on March 10, 1945, disembarking in France on the 12th, for service in North West Europe, again in the capacity of an A/CQMS. Five months later, he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion, Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (M.G.) on August 27, 1945 and three weeks after his transfer, was awarded two Good Conduct Badges on September 16, 1942. Post-war, he qualified as a Bandsman "C" on February 28, 1946 and was hospitalized for almost three weeks at No. 7 Canadian General Hospital, where he was admitted on March 4, 1946 and discharged on the 23rd, the reason not stated in his records. Private Keillor embarked for Canada aboard the Ex-Vessel W-1129 "Ile de France" on August 5, 1946 and was discharged upon demobilization, "to return to civil life", on August 15th, at No. 1 District Depot in Toronto, credited with having served in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Central Mediterranean Area and Continental Europe. He was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, the Italy Star, the France and Germany Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp and the War Medal 1939-1945 for his Second World War service. His service totalled eight years, eleven months and thirteen days, qualifying him for the Efficiency Medal with Canada scroll, which was approved on March 11, 1946 and awarded to him on April 3rd, the medal sent to his wife for "safekeeping". Keillor planned to become a Barber in his civilian life, his Army Counsellor noting on August 14, 1946 that he was "extremely neat in appearance, friendly, courteous, and not-too-robust build. His manner is mature and his conversation suggests a man who is sincere, well motivated in his desire for future steady employment and security and capable of sound judgment. His exemplary army record indicates his ability and willingness to accept responsibilities." The Counsellor went on to state that Keillor had been "given assurance by two different barbers of employment when his course (in barbering) is completed and one of these barbers was overseas in the same unit as Keillor and is familiar with his work as unofficial company barber." Thirty-six years after he left the Army, he wrote a letter to the Department of Veterans in Ottawa, dated December 2, 1982, stating that he had submitted his medals, along with those of his brother-in-law, Raymond Brown (Windsor Regiment, Service Repair Element) to a store, to have them "mounted and glass covered". He had forgotten about them until reminded by his wife and had found out that the store had gone out of business and understood that they had been sent to the War Department but questioned such. He requested them back or to have replacement medals sent to him, both his and his brother-in-law's. As both his brother-in-law (Raymond Brown) and Brown's wife (Dorothy) were deceased, that made Keillor's wife (sister to Dorothy) the next-of-kin and she wanted Raymond Brown's medals "for mounting as a keep sake". Keillor died on June 2, 1993 in Windsor, Ontario.

A Second War Long Service Medal Group to Lt. Wilson R.C.A.F. - Defence Medal; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp; War Medal 1939-1945 with MID Oak Leaf; and Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, George VI (E) FID DEF (136 F/L A.C. WILSON). Naming is officially impressed on the RAFLSGCM, the Second World War medals are un-named. Un-mounted, original ribbons, dark patinas on the Second World War medals, MID Oak Leaf is loose, near extremely fine. Accompanied by his Statement of Service in the Canadian Armed Forces, along with copies of his Attestation Papers, Service Records, Medal Awards Computer Card (confirming his awarding of the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp and the War Medal 1939-1945 with MID Oak Leaf), and Obituary.
Footnote: Albert Cutting Wilson was born on October 5, 1910 in Manchester, England, the son of James Barton Wilson and Ana Ann Wilson. The family immigrated to Canada, settling in Ottawa, Ontario. His formal education consisted of seven years at Wellington Street Public School (1916 to 1922), followed by four years at Technical High School (1923 to 1926), with interests in softball, swimming, bowling, basketball, golf, wood carving and music. At the conclusion of his schooling, he was employed with Continental Paper Products in Ottawa as a Machinist Apprentice for the next two and a half years (1926 to 1927), followed by nine months with Victoria Foundry Limited in Ottawa as a Machinist Apprentice (1927 to 1929) and three months with the International Nickel Company in Sudbury (1929 to 1930). He left the work world to attend a Business Course at Henry's Business College (1930 to 1931), which turned out to be his ticket into joining the Permanent Active Air Force. Wilson signed his Permanent Active Air Force Attestation Paper (C36296, later 136), on April 30, 1931, in Ottawa, Ontario, at the age of 20, stating that he had no previous military service and that his trade was that of Clerk Stenographer. He was designated an Aircraftman 2nd Class Standard Group and graded a Standard Clerk. Five and half months after enlisting, he was posted to the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario on October 12th, which was followed two months later by his appointment to Acting Sergeant on December 24th. Early in 1932, he was to take a wife, marrying Evelyn Shepherd Devenny on March 26, 1932, in Buckingham, Quebec, with the Reverend G.R. Hurst performing the ceremony. The couple were to have three children between them: a son, Donald Eric Wilson (who was to later become a Major) and two daughters, Audrey Joyce (later Mrs. Timothy Kenny) and Constance Ann Wilson, and they were to give him six grandchildren before he died in 1967. He was re-mustered as Clerk "C" on December 1, 1932, named Leading Aircraftman and re-mustered as Clerk "B" on May 1, 1934. He re-engaged for three years' service on two occasions: April 30, 1934 and April 30, 1937. He was promoted to Corporal on February 17, 1936, to Sergeant on April 1, 1938, then re-mustered as Clerk "A" on April 29, 1939. Wilson signed his Particulars of Family of an Officer of Soldier of the Canadian Active Service Force Paper, on October 22, 1939 and was to soon see overseas service after his promotion to Flight Sergeant on December 1, 1939. He was appointed Temporary Warrant Officer 2nd Class on June 1, 1940 and posted to Overseas Headquarters at Odiham, Hertfordshire, England on July 6, 1940. He was appointed Acting Warrant Officer 1st Class on September 15, 1940 and qualified as an Instructor at an Anti-Gas Course at Rollestone Camp in England (September 1 to 14, 1940). He was re-mustered as Clerk Administrative "A" on March 1, 1941 and promoted to Warrant Officer 1st Class, Administrative Officer on July 14, 1941, taking on the rank of Flight Officer effective August 1, 1941, serving with both 418 and 423 Squadrons while overseas. He signed his RCAF Officer's Application and Record Sheet on August 13, 1941, at London, England, where it was noted that he had experienced "eye strain working in artificial light". He was placed on appointment to RCAF Headquarters in Great Britain overseas with 418 Squadron on January 3, 1942, followed by his promotion to Acting Flight Lieutenant two days later. He was posted to RAF Station Bradwell Bay on April 15, 1942 and named Temporary Flight Lieutenant on July 30, 1942. He was transferred to 423 Squadron on October 14, 1942 and posted to 423 Squadron, Headquarters No. 6 Group at Linton-on-Ouse on November 10th. Wilson returned to Canada with No. 6 Group and was posted to RCAF "R" Depot at Rockcliffe (near Ottawa) on July 26, 1943, followed one year later by his assuming the position of Temporary Squadron Leader on August 1, 1944. For his Second World War service, he was awarded the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp and the War Medal 1939-1945. Wilson was Mentioned in Depatches (AFRO 874/44) and awarded the MID oak leaf to the War Medal 1939-1945, which was later followed by his award of the Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (AFRO 340/49). Wilson was posted to Allied Force Headquarters in Ottawa from 1947 to 1952, followed by a transfer to RCAF Station at St. Hubert, Quebec. Flight Lieutenant Albert C. Wilson was discharged from service on August 7, 1956, at St.-Hubert, credited with having served in Canada and the United Kingdom. He died from arteriosclerotic heart disease on October 13, 1967, in Ottawa, Ontario, at the age of 57 and is buried in Beechwood Cemetery, Section G, Range 43, Grave 45.

The Two First War Memorial Crosses of Sgt. Connaughton PPCLI; GRV (153 Sgt. C. CONNAUGHTON). Naming is officially engraved on both. Crisp detail, near extremely fine. Accompanied by a CD containing twenty-two pages with copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Medical Records and Discharge Certificate. Footnote: Charles Connaughton stated that he was born on March 1, 1874, in Manchester, England, but upon further investigation, the Army discovered later on in WWI that he was actually born in the year 1867. He was a veteran of the Boer War in South Africa, having served with the Gordon Highlanders. He signed his Attestation Paper on August 24, 1914 in Ottawa, Ontario, as an original member of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Susannah Connaughton of Toronto, Ontario, stating that he had previous military service with the Gordon Highlanders, that he was married and that his trade was that of Labourer. He was posted to No. 1 Company, arriving at Levis Camp on August 30th, where he was appointed Lance Corporal on September 9th. He is shown in his records as a Bugler and reverted to Private on September 25th. He embarked Quebec City for England aboard the R.M.S. Royal George on September 27, arriving in Plymouth on October 14th. Upon arrival, he was stationed at Bustard Camp on October 18th, then transferred to Morn Hill Camp on November 16th. Five weeks later, he left Southampton aboard the S.S. Cardiganshire with the PPCLI, for the French theatre on December 20, 1914, arriving in LeHavre the next day. Early in the new year, he was transferred to No. 4 Company and appointed Lance Corporal on January 14, 1915. He experienced his first bout of sickness, as he was admitted to No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital at Le Treport and diagnosed with "Rheumatism" on February 18, 1915, and was discharged to duty as Class "A" three weeks later on March 11th. Connaughton soon saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres and was wounded in action at Bellewaerde Lake on May 7, 1915, suffering a gun shot wound to his right hand. He was admitted to No. 82 Field Ambulance, transferred to No. 9 General Hospital, before being invalided to England on May 11th aboard the Hospital Ship Oxfordshire. He was to spend the next three months in hospital, split between Whitworth Hospital, North Chester and 2nd Western General Hospital in Manchester. The shrapnel did severe damage to his hand, as he lost his ring finger at the second joint, later discharged to furlough on June 7th. Although having lost a finger, he trained as a Shoemaker and was so employed within the reinforcement organization for his continued stay in England. He was on command with the 11th Reserve Battalion when he was reduced in rank on July 20th for being Absent Without Leave from the lines while Battalion Orderly Corporal. He was treated for a case of Gonorrhea, which lasted 21 days, from August 10 to 31st, and declared "apparently cured". During his posting with the 11th RB, he was employed as a Shoemaker. The following year, he was appointed Acting Corporal on May 19, 1916 and was taken on strength at the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre at Folkestone ten days later, on May 29th. Three months later, he was on command at the Royal Canadian Regiment and Patricia Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Depot, from September 8th. The RCR & PPCLI were re-designated the 7th Reserve Battalion on January 1, 1917, with Connaughton appointed Acting Sergeant on March 27th. Bad health continued to plague him, as he was admitted to No. 14 Canadian General Hospital at Eastbourne with a case of Furunculosis (boils) on his neck on October 18, 1917. Although it was noted in his medical records that the "patient does not look ill", he remained hospitalized for 46 days, before being discharged on December 1st. He was attached to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot from January 10 to 31, 1918, and later transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in February and March, where he reverted to the rank of Private and continued his Shoemaking. His health continued to decline, as noted in a medical examination performed at Seaford on March 1, 1918, where his shortness of breath, dizziness, plus weakness and pain in his right hand were expressed by him. He proceeded to the Canadian Discharge Depot at Buxton on March 7th pending discharge and was struck off strength on proceeding to Canada on April 9th. Upon return to Canada, he was posted to No. 2 District Demobilization Centre on April 18th. In his Medical History of an Invalid, dated May 3, 1918 at Ravina Barracks, No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, he was examined by C.R. Kannan, where the truth was finally revealed: Connaughton's real birthdate was March 1, 1867, making him now 51 years old and not 44 by the previous stated birthdate. He had been officially over age since March 1, 1915, when he would have been age 48. He was suffering from chronic bronchitis and defective hearing, which he claimed he incurred while on service in May 1915 and the doctor estimating a recovery time of six months and at least one year, respectively. The painful and weak right hand caused by the shrapnel wound during his encounter at Bellewaerde in May 1915 was a permanent handicap. His biggest problem however was valvular disease of the heart, again attributed to his 1915 service. Although the doctor thought a recovery time of at least eight months was in order, it later proved to be an inaccurate assessment, as his heart weakened over the years to follow. The doctor observed that Connaughton "Looks (his) age stated. Radial arteries thickened. Has a condition of chronic congestion in nose/and cheeks. Has pain in right hand when he grips anything. Hand is weak to him, and grip of right hand is about 70% of that of left hand. Third finger on right hand missing and just below 1st interphalanged joint. Head of bone well covered. Has no headaches. Has dizzy spells, and Dyspnea (shortness of breath) on exertion as walking 1/2 mile or going up a flight of 25 steps. Has cardiac palpitation and pain around heart. States he was in good health before enlisting and while on service he states his hearing and chest gave him trouble. War wounded in May 1915." It was recommended the he be placed in Category "E" (unfit for service in Categories A (general service), B (service abroad, not general service) and C (home service (Canada only)) and be discharged as "physically unfit and as over age." and that he "should pass under his own control". He was struck off strength on April 24th and discharged to Canada on May 16, 1918 as "medically unfit for further service". He was discharged at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, due to "Physical Unfitness" on May 22, 1918, his age, bronchitis, defective hearing, hand wound and bad heart contributing to his demise. Connaughton died on November 25, 1927 at the age of 60, his death officially attributed to his military service. His widow, Susannah Connaughton of Toronto received his Trio of Medals, Plaque and Scroll, in addition to his Memorial Cross. His mother, Mrs. Sarah Jane Thompson of Moston, Manchester, England had remarried in 1918, after his father's death in 1914. She also received his Memorial Cross. In addition to the Trio, Plaque and Scroll, he was entitled to the South Africa War Medals, one which are not here included here with the Crosses.

A Military Medal Group to Company Sergeant Major Sandford 13th CAN INF. - Military Medal, George V (192153 C.S. Mjr R. SANDFORD. 13/QUEBEC. FR.). Naming is officially impressed. Original ribbon with bronze ring suspension sewn in place, edge nicks, bruised, light contact, better than very fine. Accompanied by his Memorial Plaque (RICHARD SANDFORD, the naming in raised lettering, the plaque with two bronze loops welded in place and a chain placed between them for suspension, scattered green oxidation evident on the obverse); his Memorial Scroll (inscribed in red ink "Coy. Serjt. Maj. Richard Sandford M.M. / Canadian Infantry Bn.", printed in four-colours on a thick paper stock, 181 mm x 280 mm); Buckingham Palace Letter of Condolence (printed in red and black inks on a thick paper stock, 118 mm x 194 mm, soiled); Posthumous Note Accompanying the Military Medal (printed in black ink on a brown paper stock, embossed coat-of-arms, 86 mm x 120 mm); a 92nd Infantry Battalion "48th Highlanders" Cap Badge (white metal, maker marked "ELLIS BROS. TORONTO" on the reverse, 54.3 mm x 58.7 mm, intact lugs); a Canada Collar Tab (red bronze, unmarked, 26.3 mm x 29.7 mm, intact lugs); a Canada Shoulder Title (bronze, maker marked "CARON BROS. MONTREAL 1914" on the reverse, 13.5 mm x 51.5 mm, intact lugs); and a Photograph of Sandford in his 48th Highlanders Uniform (black and white, matte finish, with un-addressed postcard backer, 86 mm x 134 mm, lightly soiled).
Footnote: Richard Sandford was born on June 25, 1889 in London England, the son of Arthur Sandford and Alice Sandford. At the age of 24, he immigrated to Canada in 1913. His older brother, Arthur Charles Sandford (born 1877) was a veteran of the Boer War, as well as being a recipient of the Distinguished Service Order and was also recommended for the Victoria Cross by Lord Roberts. The elder Sandford was awarded a Queen's South Africa Medal with four clasps and returned to England after the war, but died shortly thereafter, in 1903. Richard Sandford signed his Attestation Paper with the 92nd Infantry Battalion "48th Highlanders" (192153), on August 25, 1915 in Toronto, Ontario, at the age of 26, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Alice Sandford of Toronto, stating that he had one years' previous military service as a Colour Sergeant with the Queen's Own Rifles and two years with E.L.R.E. Corp, that he was Single and that his trade was that of Overhead Inspector. The Battalion was raised and mobilized in Toronto, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 103A, August 15, 1915. The Battalion sailed May 22, 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G.G. Chisholm with a strength of 36 officers and 1,096 other ranks. In England, the Battalion was absorbed into the 5th Reserve Battalion. He was later transferred to the 13th Infantry Battalion "Royal Highlanders of Canada" (Quebec Regiment) and was in France nearly three years, when he Died of his Wounds at No. 20 Casualty Clearing Station, on September 28, 1918, at the age of 29. He is buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, Pas de Calais, France, Grave Reference: Plot III, Row A, Grave 2 and is commemorated on page 496 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Sandford was posthumously awarded the Military Medal, as mentioned in the Fifth Supplement to the London Gazette 31173 of Friday, February 7, on Tuesday, February 11, 1919, page 2139. The award was delivered to his parents, with the note of condolence from the Major-General, Adjutant-General, Canadian Militia stating "I am directed, by the Honourable the Minister of Defence, to convey to you the enclosed medal for the deceased officer or soldier whose name is engraved thereon, and to express to you the regrets of the Militia Council that he did not live to wear this award."